December 4-7 Chriskindl Holiday Fest, Barrington, handcrafted merchandise, live entertainment, live reindeer, kids activities, carnival rides and more, there is a cover charge for some of the bands and for the carnival rides, see website for more details

December 6-7 Christmas in the Valley, Schaumburg, 12:00PM-4:00PM, old-time family holiday fun **one of our favorite events of the year**, held on Heritage Farm and Merkle Cabin, $3 pp, $12 for families of 4-6, $3 every additional person, 3 and under free

December 6 Mount Prospect Historical Society Christmas with Friedrichs, Friedrichs House, 1:30PM-4:00PM tour a family home and experience Christmas celebrated in the 1920's, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus visit, cookies & hot cocoa, learn how to make German Christmas decorations, free

December 6&7, 13&14 Holiday Mansion Tours, Naper Settlement, Naperville, 1:00PM-4:00PM, home decorated for the holidays during WWI, (on Dec 6 there will also be Victorian holiday traditions from 3PM-5PM), $7 PP, $5 per Naperville Heritage Society Member, tours on the hour

December 6 Celebrate the Season Holiday Festival, Cantigny Park, Wheaton, 4PM,-7PM, family holiday festival, kids craft, tree lighting, holiday decor, live reindeer, Mistletoe Market (local crafters), live entertainment, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus and more free with $2 parking, small fees for some activities, McCormick Museum open 5PM-8PM with some specially decorated trees (free admission) and more

December 6 Christmas Light Tour by the Wheels Rallye Team in Schaumburg, registration starts at 6PM at Woodfield near Firestone (see website for deets), $10 per car & unwrapped new toy worth $15 or more for Toys For Tots or $25 cash, course will take you through some of the best home and municipal light displays in the suburbs, cars head out at 7PM *cars can be in sightseeing mode!*